Dana Brown

The Art of Caring

For years I was a road warrior, heading down the interstate with a ton of art in the van and a pile of CD’s to keep me entertained.  Many times I hit the brakes when I saw a stray dog wandering along the side of the highway.  Turning around at the next exit, I’d search and often chase him in the median - but could never lure a dog into my van.  The kittens around the motel dumpsters broke my heart but of course, I couldn’t help them.  They were impossible to catch and I had nowhere to put a wild kitten while I did a street festival.

The guilt and sadness was incredible.  Cars whiz by and people pretend to not see these animals in need of help.  The MINUTE my schedule slowed down, I investigated rescue groups in my town and chose one.  I dove into the work and began fostering — I had a lot of little disappointed faces in my mind that kept me going.  For every animal I had left behind or couldn’t help, I was going to save another.  I’ve been working for homeless, hungry, and frightened animals ever since.

Last night, these two babies were crying in the woods.  Hungry and obviously looking for their mama, I don’t think they had ever been touched by a human.  In spite of their fear, they knew to ask for help.  We fed them, borrowed a trap this morning and by this afternoon they were in the hands of a rescue group.  

My rescue work has taken many of my art making hours in the last few years but my life is rich beyond words.  I’ve learned how to help these animals - it’s never easy but I now know where to start - and the rewards are greater than I can describe.  The time that I have to make art is even more precious to me now and the art of compassion has made me a happier, more complete person.